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NFL legend, Arena League owner: Tebow not done as NFL QB

Former Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker Derrick Brooks, an 11-time Pro Bowler, told USA TODAY Sports on Wednesday he is convinced Tebow will get another NFL shot — as a quarterback. "I do believe an NFL door is

Former Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker Derrick Brooks, an 11-time Pro Bowler, told USA TODAY Sports on Wednesday he is convinced Tim Tebow will get another NFL shot — as a quarterback.

"I do believe an NFL door is going to open for Tim,'' said Brooks, co-owner and president of the Arena League's Tampa Bay Storm. "Tim just has to be patient and wait on it.

"Right now, teams are looking internally and they want to deal with what they have on the roster first.''

Brooks cited another reason to believe Tebow's NFL days aren't over. He had a discussion recently with former New York Jets quarterback Vinny Testaverde, who helped Tebow with his mechanics earlier in the offseason.

"I'm mostly positive that Tim will get another chance after talking with Vinny, who said, 'He worked on some footwork stuff in the pocket, which improved Tim's throwing accuracy and improved his motion,'' Brooks said.

"Vinny really believes we've not seen the best of Tim.''

New York Jets quarterback Tim Tebow (15) warms up before the game between the Jacksonville Jaguars and the New York Jets at EverBank Field. The Jets defeated the Jaguars 17-10.(Photo: Rob Foldy-USA TODAY Sports)

Might that opportunity come with coach Bill Belichick and the New England Patriots?

"Could be,'' Brooks said. "Dealing with Tim because of the persona that he brings, it's something that your organization has to be comfortable with.

Brooks knows what it is like to stubbornly believe in yourself Some evaluators believed the former Florida State star was better suited to be a safety than the linebacking star he was for 14 seasons after the Buccaneers selected him 28th overall in the 1995 draft.

"I'm rooting for Tim because I totally understand what it's like to believe in your abilities — when people told me that I was an NFL strong safety, I believed in my heart of hearts I was a linebacker,'' said Brooks, who is eligible for the Hall of Fame in 2014. "And I want Tim to have that opportunity again to show people he can be an NFL quarterback.''

Brooks said if Tebow so chooses to move on from the NFL, he'd be embraced by the Arena League.

Brooks, however, is set at quarterback given the MVP-level of play this season of Storm quarterback Adrian McPherson.

"Fortunately for me, our quarterback is really playing well for us,'' Brooks said. "The Arena League has definitely been a league of opportunity for a lot of players. If this option is one that Tim so chooses, I believe every team will take a look at him.

"If the NFL is not in the cards for him, Tim will be successful at whatever he does.''